Pyro Joe ignites fame with fiery spectacle after SMU's stunning Boopie Miller buzzer-beater

A stunning January buzzer-beater ignited not just the scoreboard but "Pyro Joe" Bessner's celebrity rise at SMU, merging his pyrotechnic flair with cult celebrity.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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When Boopie Miller's last-second halfcourt-heave touched nylon, Joe Bessner, a pyrotechnician known as "Pyro Joe," immediately set off flames behind both basketball hoops at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. The crowd erupted in delight from the miraculous shot, which gave the SMU men's basketball team a one-point victory over Virginia Tech. Overnight, "Pyro Joe" became part of Pony lore, with the university even naming a concession item after him - the "Fire Guy" buffalo chicken sandwich.

Why it matters

Bessner's pyrotechnic flair has helped punctuate some of the biggest moments in SMU athletics, from the national anthem and player introductions to game-winning buzzer-beaters. His work has now thrust him into the national spotlight, making him a campus celebrity and highlighting the role of special effects in enhancing the fan experience at college sporting events.

The details

Bessner, a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in theatre, has turned his production skills into a near decade-long career in pyrotechnics. He has worked with SMU for the past two years, setting up flame machines, fog machines, and pyrotechnics that add to the excitement of Mustangs games. When SMU's Boopie Miller made a halfcourt shot to beat the buzzer against Virginia Tech, Bessner's flames behind the hoop added to the aura of the highlight, which quickly spread across social media and earned him a shoutout from Pat McAfee on "The Pat McAfee Show."

  • In January, Boopie Miller made a last-second halfcourt shot to give SMU a one-point victory over Virginia Tech.
  • Immediately after the shot, Bessner set off flames behind both basketball hoops at Moody Coliseum.

The players

Joe Bessner

A pyrotechnician known as "Pyro Joe" who sets up flame machines, fog machines, and pyrotechnics that punctuate some of the biggest moments in SMU athletics.

Boopie Miller

An SMU basketball player who made a stunning buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to give the Mustangs a one-point victory over Virginia Tech.

SMU

The university where Bessner works as a pyrotechnician, adding to the excitement of Mustangs games with his fiery displays.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as the ball went in the net, I hit my big red button.”

— Joe Bessner (wfaa.com)

“My name's Joe. Pyro Joe. Fire Guy Joe. I am a pyrotechnician, so I do fireworks and special effects for a living.”

— Joe Bessner (wfaa.com)

“Very few people get to do what they love and get paid for it. And I'm one of those people.”

— Joe Bessner (wfaa.com)

What’s next

Bessner is set to help with pyrotechnics for Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area this month, further expanding his national profile.

The takeaway

Bessner's work as "Pyro Joe" has not only enhanced the fan experience at SMU games, but has also thrust him into the national spotlight, making him a campus celebrity and highlighting the important role that special effects can play in college sports.